The Psychology of Spiritual Conflict
Using James, chapter 1, as a basis the author describes how a faith-doubt conflict and God-world conflict corresponds to the typical approach-avoidance and approach-approach paradigms in psychology. James’ solutions to these spiritual conflicts parallel the solutions to conflict as explored by psych...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Interlibrary Loan: | Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany) |
| Published: |
1976
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| In: |
Journal of psychology and theology
Year: 1976, Volume: 4, Issue: 1, Pages: 34-41 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | Using James, chapter 1, as a basis the author describes how a faith-doubt conflict and God-world conflict corresponds to the typical approach-avoidance and approach-approach paradigms in psychology. James’ solutions to these spiritual conflicts parallel the solutions to conflict as explored by psychologists. In addition, James describes self-deceptions resulting from doublemindedness which distort spiritual living. These self-deceptions are similar to five defense mechanisms often found consequent to prolonged conflict and the associated anxiety. In James, one's rationalization distorts prayer life, projection distorts the perception of God, intellectualization prevents the reception of the Word, repression makes one forget what he is like, and reaction formation results in a compulsive ritualism for a religion. In conclusion, psychological mechanisms are actively involved in one's spiritual life and affect one's spiritual condition. |
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| ISSN: | 2328-1162 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal of psychology and theology
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1177/009164717600400104 |